Lobbying for GERG to stay?

Submitted by myantoniobass … on

Ok, Mgobloggers, the big win today got me thinking about our future.  Help me out.  So I neither have called for GERG’s job (unlike Brian, Dr. Saturday, etc.) nor would I be terribly sad if RR is fired.  I’m a moderate.  Still, I enjoyed today’s performance, and hope RR wins more this year and returns next year (wins are great for M). 

What will it take for you to lobby for GERG?  Everyone concedes the D is young.  Demens, Vinopal, Avery, and C. Gordon all showed improvement today.  Last year the D ended strong against O-state.  If these young guys continue to improve, why not give GERG the benefit of the doubt much like RR? 

I suppose you could point to the wide open wheel routes (2x) today as lack of coaching.  But I saw adjustments today with 4 DL, Roh (finally) moved to a position of strength, and varied blitzes/rushes. 

If RR gets a pass for 3 years of poor D, why not give GERG?  I can’t say RR must be fired, and I can’t say GERG must be either based on injuries and more (eg. see B. Graham’s comments).  

ThWard

November 6th, 2010 at 9:12 PM ^

You give RR time because he has a track record of success.  Not the same for GERG.  That's one of about 30 reasons why you treat a HC and DC differently here, but in any event, let's table this discussion and talk about HOLYPANTSBOWLGAME!

Mitch Cumstein

November 6th, 2010 at 9:16 PM ^

He has become the front-runner for scapegoat for defensive performance.  Maybe he should be fired, but hes definitely not 100% responsible for the problems on D.  I wouldn't mind RR relinquishing all defensive control to GERG and letting GERG run what he whats with whatever assistants he wants.  I feel like that would be a lot  more productive than what is going on now.  Right now GERG is just being thrown under the bus by people that want RR to keep his job.  Like I said, I'm not saying anyone should or shouldn't be fired, but making GERG the scapegoat won't necessarily solve anything.

jmblue

November 6th, 2010 at 11:58 PM ^

If we offer a market-value salary to a DC (which we haven't always done in the past), and if RR agrees to let him run whatever he wants, we should be able to land a good DC.  I mean really, if Ron Zook can land a capable DC* when everyone in the world expected him to be fired, anyone can. 

As for GERG, he's been around forever.  Look up his defensive performances at Syracuse or anywhere else.  He is not the sole problem but he almost certainly is not the solution. 

*(Although his D was shredded by us, it's having a good year otherwise.)

SirJack

November 6th, 2010 at 9:46 PM ^

The problem is not GERG, it's the defensive staff RR brought over, which staff has an awful track record in the only years that count: 2008-2010.

Shafer disagreed with what these dudes wanted to do, and was let go. Shafer was too good for the job.

Robinson, desperate for the Michigan job, basically agreed to go along with whatever crazy scheme RR's friends wanted to run, even if they didn't know how to run it. Remember that our DC and our defensive staff weren't even speaking the same language until this summer!!!

The key is to get the control of the defense out of the hands of RR and his staff. If we keep RR, I hope Brandon mandates that we get a real live special teams coach just like everyone else, and a DC who chooses his own staff and philosophy.

Blue boy johnson

November 6th, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^

I posted this in another thread.

"Nick Saban's an incompetent dumb ass, how can allow a receiver to be running wide open 20 yards down the field on 3rd and 13, with the game on the line."

This is a response it elicited

the players blew the coverage, not Saban.  Saban is considered to be the best defensive minded coach in the country.  Some NFL coaches goes to Saban for advice or scheme.

I have similar feeling about Greg Robinson, only he is dealing with much younger and less physicallly gifted players.

jmblue

November 7th, 2010 at 12:03 AM ^

Saban is considered to be the best defensive minded coach in the country.  Some NFL coaches goes to Saban for advice or scheme.

I have similar feeling about Greg Robinson,

Unfortunately, you are incorrect.  The football world does not hold GERG in anywhere near the same esteem it holds Saban.

nazooq

November 6th, 2010 at 9:19 PM ^

Today was the first time that the defense improved from the previous week.  If they continue to improve and actually have some success slowing Wisconsin's and OSU's offense, I would consider lobbying for him to continue.

Even if that happens, it shouldn't take 2/3 of a season to figure out who your best players are and identify a scheme that will work.  I can't see Robinson ever putting together a great defense.  Maybe a mediocre or passable one, but not a great one.

nazooq

November 6th, 2010 at 10:16 PM ^

Sure, GERG had one great call today.  And maybe a handful of good ones.  How about the overwhelming majority of his defensive calls which have been very poor?

Also, the Michigan defensive coordinator position isn't for learning on the job.  Greg Robinson has been coaching defenses for 20 years.  I'm sure he can figure out how to run the 3-3-5.  It's clear that Rodriguez's input on the defensive side has only hurt the defense.  Either Robinson needs to be given free reign (and the ability to get rid of Rodriguez's mediocre defensive position coaches) or an entirely new defensive coordinator should come in and be given the same freedom.

ND Sux

November 6th, 2010 at 9:26 PM ^

Giving up less than 500 yards in ANY game would help. 

I admit today confused me a bit, b/c they let Roh play his normal position, and I fully expect the UFR to show that as an improvement.  Thing I'm struggling with is that maybe the crappy 3-3-5 is what RR wants, and not Gerg.  If that's true, then I truly blame RR for not keeping Roh in his normal position in every game after ND.  Seemed like the D made more plays today when they needed to.   Even when Avery gave up the TD in the N end zone, he had very good coverage, it was just a PERFECT throw. 

As of now though, I'm still in the "fire Gerg, keep and extend RR for another year" camp. 

mGrowOld

November 6th, 2010 at 9:21 PM ^

Your just kidding...right?

Right?

I'm going to enjoy this win tonight and try NOT to think about the fact we scored 67 points and almost lost. We can dissect the D tomorrow thank you. Go blue!

AMazinBlue

November 6th, 2010 at 9:21 PM ^

I know the secondary is still in diapers and they eeked out a win today thanks to a very aggressive call on the 2-pt conversion, but after last week's debacle, and at least four ridiculously wide open receivers for Illinois, this season's mess on the defensive side of the ball and breaking every defensive record in Michigan's history over the last two years, it would be impossible to make a case to keep GERG on. 

The main reason I feel he needs to go is not the 65 points today or 41(48) they gave up last week, but the players don't seem to be learning from their mistakes.  From play to play and game to game, the same missed assignments and poor angles and poor techniques are dooming this defense.

The incredible worsening of this defense despite their obvious youth and lack of depth is inexcusable.  Players consistenly out of position as well as putting players in positions that render them basically ineffective based on their skill set is a recurring theme from week to week.

It's simply time for him to retire.  I am lobbying for Brandon and RR to make a huge($$$) play for TCU's DC.  We need someon who's goal is to shut out the opponent each week and come up with an original game plan every week that is uniquely designed for that opponent.

Loukdogg

November 6th, 2010 at 10:17 PM ^

But I agree that it is time to use some cash to do whatever it takes.  I think we get caught into who is ever best this season.  I don't know that just because TCU is good right now that means they have the best coordinator available.  RR and Brandon need to get their heads together and realize that Rich is in charge of the team but he needs to find a great D coord and get out of the way.  That means not expecting a Coordinator to come in without making some changes if he feels that is what he needs. 

I can't even enjoy watching the offense because of the pain of our defense and Special Teams.  Our kickoff coverage was abysmal today.  I love our offense and think Rich is a great game coach.  However, there is not doubt that GERG must go.  And more importantly, Rich needs to make a great hire....and needs to ask for help on finding the right answer this time.

Huntington Wolverine

November 6th, 2010 at 9:30 PM ^

I'm in favor of keeping GERG here because of the testimony of his previous players stating that he's good at teaching fundamentals.  We know the youthfulness of this squad so it shouldn't be such a surprise when Cam still lowers his shoulder on every tackle instead of wrapping up, etc. 

I don't think any coach could turn this into a respectable defense over the course of the season, regardless of scheme, etc.  They're young, undersized, and just starting to grasp their assignments.  Let's not jerk them around again with a new guy...

BlueVoix

November 6th, 2010 at 9:34 PM ^

I mean, what are they going to say?

"Man, the DC here sure is a nice guy, but his schemes leave us out of position and he refuses to exploit the strengths of the players.  Oh yeah, he also doesn't adjust in game."

That'd be a terrific way to get benched and I think our players know how to talk to the media after the last two years.

Huntington Wolverine

November 6th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^

As Syyk caught, I was referring to players from his tenure at Texas.  One of them, a LB I believe, when asked for a comment on GERG being hired at Michigan said they were getting a guy that did a great job with teaching fundamentals.  Sorry for not making that clearer.

That said, I'm not convinced Gibson is a good position coach and he's the one I would most like to see replaced.  His secondary has been the number one area for transfers/burnouts and I can't help but wonder if Warren left early out of frustration. 

BlueFish

November 7th, 2010 at 1:15 AM ^

His secondary has been the number one area for transfers/burnouts and I can't help but wonder if Warren left early out of frustration.

Let's not forget that he also coaches the special teams.

Aside from LB, those are arguably the two biggest problem areas on the defense team this year.

I've even heard a long-time WVU supporter admit that he's not qualified to coach at the collegiate level.

LatinForLiar

November 6th, 2010 at 9:32 PM ^

Didn't everyone agree at the beginning of the season that M would have a poor, inexperienced defense? Giving up tons of yards and not learning from their mistakes is what poor, inexperienced defenses do. What else did you expect?

UofM Snowboarder

November 6th, 2010 at 9:38 PM ^

I've spent the last year and a half having faith in GERG. I gave him the benefit of the doubt. RR has proven successful everywhere he's been. GERG's success has been occasional. Yes, he hasn't been helped by issues beyond his control (RIP 2ndary '10), and I know whoever is DC next year will have experienced players unless 'Defensive Apocolypse II:Ankle-Break Harder' happens. But Michigan DOES have the cash, unlike other programs, to buy a guy who's tried and true at DC.

Yes, who ever gets these players will fall into a English situation (though the raw talent level will be lower, just e-pinion). After today, and our failure to adjust our D with a novel concept of 'covering the RB', I just can't get behind the "he knows what he's doing, he's getting paid a lot of money to do it". I don't want to put the players through another coaching change, but I'm not going to be upset if we drop GERG. (RR, on the other hand: I would murder babies if he was fired.)

VaUMWolverine

November 6th, 2010 at 9:47 PM ^

Hes gotta go. I made a statement today, "if Michigan had a defense in the top 70 in the country, they'd be undefeated." I think a good defensive staff would have these guys at least close to that. D staff must go. With this offense coming back, I dont want to take a chance on having a "less than" defense.